Scepticism and Ironic Correlations in the Joy Statements of Qoheleth?

Contrary to "popular belief", the Book of Ecclesiastes (Qoheleth) is not a "book of joy". Anderson closely examines the seven "joy statements" of Qoheleth which appear to be complex ironies-whereby what is said is both meant and not meant. Consequently Qoheleth still leaves the reader guessing about the meaning of life.

This book is a response to the popular counter-reading of Ecclesiastes in the 1980s and 90s as a book of "joy" (rather than a pessimistic book). It examines the seven "joy statements" of Qoheleth in the light of analogies with scepticism and the literary form of irony. Irony, like scepticism, has the function to induce doubt and questions. The joy statements of Qoheleth are likely analogous to expressions of complex irony—whereby what is said is both meant and not meant. This examination highlights the complexity of the biblical book—while demonstrating how unlikely the "joy reading" may be.

Table Of Contents Abstract Preface Acknowledgements Abbreviations Introduction 1. Exegesis Of The Joy Statements 2. Form Criticism Of The Joy Statements And Additional Exegetical Notes 3. What Is Scepticism And Can It Be Found In The Hebrew Bible? 4. Interpretation Of The Joy Statements 5. Ironic Correlations And Scepticism In The Joy Statements? Conclusion Bibliography Index